Key Dates and Information for 2026 Leeds Council Election

Important deadlines and voting procedures ahead of May 7 election

Leeds City Council has released essential information for residents ahead of the 2026 local election, which will take place on Thursday 7 May. Voters will elect representatives for 33 council seats, one in each ward area of the city. The results will be counted and announced the following day, Friday 8 May.

Registering to vote

Residents who are not yet registered to vote must do so by midnight on Monday 20 April. This includes those who have recently moved and need to register at their new address. Registration can be completed online and typically takes around five minutes.

Voting methods

Voters can choose to cast their ballot in person, by post, or by proxy (appointing someone to vote on their behalf). Under new government rules, all postal voters were required to renew their postal vote details by the end of January 2026 to continue using this method. Leeds City Council has contacted those who missed this deadline with guidance on their options.

Anyone who previously voted by post but did not renew their postal vote must reapply by 5pm on Tuesday 21 April to vote by post in this election.

Voter identification requirements

On election day, voters must present a valid form of photo ID at polling stations. Accepted forms of identification and information on how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate are available online. The deadline to apply for this certificate is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Community hubs and libraries across Leeds will assist residents with completing the application form and taking photographs for the Voter Authority Certificate.

Postal and proxy voting

• Poll cards will be sent from Friday 27 March to all registered voters. Voters should check their details and polling station location carefully, as some locations may have changed.
• Postal ballot packs will be issued from around Tuesday 21 April to those registered for postal voting.
• The deadline to apply for postal voting or to change existing postal voting arrangements is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.
• Applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.
• Postal voters are encouraged to return their completed ballots as early as possible to help manage demand.

Key dates summary

• From 27 March: Poll cards posted to voters
• 30 March: Official pre-election period begins
• 9 April: List of candidates published
• 20 April (midnight): Voter registration deadline
• 21 April (5pm): Deadline for postal vote applications
• 28 April (5pm): Deadline for voter ID applications and proxy vote applications
• 7 May (7am-10pm): Election day
• 8 May (from 10am): Vote counting and results announcement

Additional information for voters

Polling station staff may ask voters to remove face coverings to verify identity. Privacy booths will be available, and voters can request a male or female official to carry out ID checks.

For any election-related queries, residents can contact the Leeds elections team via telephone at 0113 222 4411 or email electors@leeds.gov.uk.

Further details and application forms for voter registration, postal voting, proxy voting, and voter ID can be found on the Leeds City Council website.